Why was the mayor banned?

It supports the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which campaigns for a complete boycott of Israel over its policies towards the Palestinians.

Israel says the BDS movement opposes the country's very existence and is motivated by anti-Semitism.

In January, the IPSC was among 20 groups blacklisted by Israel's strategic affairs ministry. Individuals holding senior positions in the organisation and those active in promoting the boycott would be denied entry, officials said.

The mayor condemned US President Donald Trump's decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, calling it "a backward step and a severe setback for the cause of peace, reconciliation and justice in Palestine and Israel".